Rivertown Business Improvement Zone Begins Neighborhood Services with Ambassadors and Enhanced Cleaning Operations
DETROIT – Beginning July 1, Rivertown property owners, residents, businesses and visitors will begin seeing more Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) Ambassadors and enhanced cleaning and safety services throughout the neighborhood, as the Rivertown Business Improvement Zone (Rivertown BIZ) begins delivering on its commitment to create a cleaner, safer and more welcoming district.
BIZ Ambassadors will provide a welcoming presence throughout the district, helping patrons navigate the neighborhood, reporting maintenance concerns and serving as additional eyes and ears in the community. Their enhanced cleaning services will focus on maintaining sidewalks and other highly visible public areas to support a clean and inviting environment. New to Rivertown, the BIZ Street Outreach Team will be providing essential services to unhoused individuals.
“This is an exciting day for property owners, businesses and residents of Rivertown as people begin to see the direct results of what commercial property owners came together to accomplish,” said Arthur “Chip” Rohde Jr., chair of the Rivertown BIZ board of directors. “The expansion of the long-beloved BIZ Ambassadors is just the beginning of our long-term commitment to creating a cleaner, safer and more welcoming neighborhood.”
The Rivertown BIZ was initiated by Rivertown stakeholders and established by commercial property owners, who voted to support a special-purpose assessment to fund neighborhood enhancement priorities. The Zone includes 294 assessable commercial parcels and is expected to generate approximately $800,000 annually toward supplemental services, including maintenance, safety, beautification and district marketing.
The Rivertown BIZ is governed by a board of directors representing assessed commercial property owners. The Downtown Detroit Partnership manages the Rivertown BIZ and oversees the implementation of the new services based on its decades of experience managing the nationally recognized Downtown Detroit BIZ.
“Today marks the start of the Rivertown BIZ’s first fiscal year, with enhanced services launching immediately and expected to make an impact. This is an exciting milestone for Rivertown,” said Gina Cavaliere, chief community impact officer for the Downtown Detroit Partnership and executive director of Downtown BIZ and Rivertown BIZ. “These highly visible improvements reflect the commitment of Rivertown property owners to invest in their neighborhood and support an environment where property values are strong, businesses can thrive and residents and visitors feel welcomed.”
As services continue to expand, the Rivertown BIZ will build on its mission to strengthen the neighborhood’s economic vitality while enhancing the experience for everyone who lives, works and visits Rivertown.
For more information about the Rivertown BIZ, visit RivertownDetroitBIZ.org.
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About the Rivertown Business Improvement Zone
The Rivertown Business Improvement Zone (Rivertown BIZ) is a public body corporate established under Michigan law to support a clean, safe and vibrant Rivertown neighborhood. Initiated and approved by commercial property owners, the Rivertown BIZ provides supplemental services that enhance economic vitality, strengthen the business environment and improve the experience for residents, workers and visitors. Governed by a board of directors representing commercial property owners and community stakeholders, the Rivertown BIZ works in collaboration with local partners to preserve and enhance property values and support long-term neighborhood growth. The Rivertown BIZ Board of Directors has contracted with the Downtown Detroit Partnership to administer its day-to-day operations. Learn more at RivertownDetroitBIZ.org.
About the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Since 1922, the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) has worked to cultivate social and economic impact in Downtown Detroit. As a member-based nonprofit, the DDP convenes civic, corporate, community, and philanthropic partners to create a vibrant and world-class urban core. As a leader in Downtown urban innovation, the organization also provides small business support and manages, programs, and stewards 18 parks and public spaces throughout Downtown Detroit. Learn more at DowntownDetroit.org and engage on social media @DowntownDet.
